Cambridge and Oxford sharpen up ahead of the Boat Race

The Boat Race crews took on Britain's top two clubs on the Thames this
weekend, the results promising exciting racing in Saturday's Head of the
River race, and for the Blues event on April 3.

By Rachel Quarrell

7:46PM GMT 21 Mar 2010

Both Leander and Molesey boated crews including top GB internationals, Tom James and Andy Hodge anchoring Molesey, while Leander had three of the reigning world champion coxless four out rowing.

On Saturday Oxford's start to the Chiswick Steps race against Leander was tight and tense, umpire Richard Phelps regularly warning both crews to keep apart, each of which were able to make quick moves. Both led twice, but Oxford hung on doggedly and snatched a win of barely more than one seat with an inspired final sprint. Leander's base speed was quicker, but their rhythm seemed more fragile.

On Sunday Cambridge raced Molesey without clashes, rowing from the start to Harrods Depository and then Chiswick Eyot to the finish, making time comparisons with Oxford difficult.

Cambridge, looking tidy, took a short early lead, though cox Ted Randolph's penchant for the Middlesex bank saw him veer close to the Fulham Football Ground just as a roar went up for a Carlos Tevez goal. Molesey's push at the same time took them through to beat the Light Blues by a few seats.

In the second race the crews were close for several minutes before James's masterly stroking set a rhythm Cambridge fought but could not quite match, and Molesey drew away to win by a length and a half.